The "correct" slap technique is abnormal for me

[Stranger Danger]

I am not familiar with the downward thumb technique, so without a video, I can't speak to its viability. But I have seen enough of this style to know there are multiple ways and hand positions to accomplish it. As long as yours isn't painful or restrictive, it's probably fair game.

Watch Flea.

 

[Barticus]

Watch Flea.

or just watch Brian Bromberg's videos, awesome thumb-down player

 

[enricogaletta]

Killer playing

Thank you

 

[bench]

flea does it like that too. worked for him...

 

[Groove Master]

I don't think there is a "correct" slap technique. It has to be natural, that's all. There some plus and minus for both positions.

 

[Brian Bromberg]

Very cool thread! I tried for a long time to use the thumbs up technique, it just didn't work for my body. You can try and or push for so long with no success, so I just gave up on what was not working anyway and tried to find what would work for me. I love the sound, vibe, and feel of slapping. It is a sound that for the most part is totally unique to the bass, and that to me makes it an important part of the palette of sound of the bass. The energy and intensity of slap bass brings so much to the music, especially when used appropriately and musically, but that is subjective and up to each of us, as to much of something for one player might not be enough for another! The very cool thing about most technique is that when you listen to it and not see how it's played you have no idea if the player is playing thumbs down or thumbs up, and to me that is how it is supposed to be. It is about what it sounds like before what it looks like. Music is very personal for all of us and so is our playing style. We play for ourselves first and foremost and try to find a way to make it work......

 

[Whousedtoplay]

watch Brian Bromberg's videos, awesome thumb-down player

Brian Bromberg - it's like a "whole other musician" - a superbly-prolific, multi-genre and melodiously-attractive composer, arranger, producer, bass player (DB & BG), etc...

His dedication to the bass instrument makes it easier for Brian Bromberg to use "almost any technique" while playing the bass. His deep and excellent knowledge of various melodic/harmonic/rhythmic/composition devices makes it easier (for Brian) to overcome any technical "impurities"/challenges/obstacles/etc... on the bass. Brian's profound sense of Musicianship (based on a long and very successful musical career) allows him to "hide" any technical "exceptions" that could easily "torpedo" any other musician.
Brian Bromberg's drumming experience has set a solid foundation about Groove, "ghost notes", rhythmic subdivisions, etc...
(Remember the drummer, Mark King?)

About Brian's "thumb down" slapping technique.
As a "thumb up" slapper, I don't feel comfortable (I feel "insecure"/in less control if I try to slap with my thumb down. Also, that thumb down technique precludes me from using the Double Thumb technique - one of my favorite things while slapping, but...
At the same time, that thumb down slapping position allows a bass player to easily(!) switch between the regular fingerstyle picking and Slapping.
In addition, the "thumb down" wrist movement axis provides extra flexibility for the horizontal (more or less the same string/s) "speedy" execution of rapid/fast, "muted/ghost" notes, while the "thumb up" wrist movement axis supports the vertical (between different strings) rapid/fast note "action.